Casey Anthony: Out and About

In Orlando, Florida, Casey Anthony was released from jail today. As she walked out the front door of the jail at 12:10 AM, she was accompanied by her attorney and surrounded by law enforcement, machine guns, and security. Video sketches show them walking briskly, and Casey emotionless as she mouths a "thank you" to a guard. They entered the "get away" car and amongst a caravan of vehicles were whisked away to an unknown location. A crowd had gathered, some had set up tents, and others brought their children! The crowd yelled "killer!" at yet another media crazed event in the continued saga of Casey Anthony.

Casey Anthony remains an enigma. The press and the public continue to try to understand what makes her tick. While we hear people say, "we will never understand," is there an attempt to understand? There is an outpouring of grief and rage that a child died and we hear many saying they want to prevent child abuse in the future. But why is there little attempt to understand the other side of the story? The mob mentality seems to rule and the press continues to engage. If we want to make a difference in preventing child abuse, is there not common sense in merely taking a look at the other side? If we care about kids, it appears there is wisdom in looking at all facets of an unfolding and mysterious family drama.

Let's start with forensic psychologist, Dr. Harry Krop. The named psychologist reportedly spent twenty hours in the jail conducting an evaluation of Casey Anthony. He clearly stated that his bill is paid by the state of Florida. He said he abides by his ethics of forensic practice. While agreeing to be interviewed on various talk shows, unfortunately he too, gets hate calls? Why not listen to what he has to say?

Dr. Krop reported that Casey does not have any diagnosable mental illness. On the MMPI personality test, she scored within normal limits on such scales as validity, lying, faking and defensiveness. He clearly states she does not have a narcissistic personality disorder and is not a sociopath. He also states that Casey conducted herself in a very professional manner with him and he did not feel manipulated by her. The doctor says she had some narcissistic traits, (common for children from narcissistic families,) was immature, not developmentally delayed and she has an average IQ. He said it would be out of character for her to be a negligent or abusive parent and she lacked a history of violence. Most interesting is that Dr. Krop stated that if he had testified in the trial he would have talked about dysfunctional family issues.

We also have guards who spent many hours with Casey in the jail who state that she was polite, kind, and not agitated. Not to mention a jury of twelve people who sacrificed weeks of their time, away from their families, to hear all the gory details presented in this horrific case. They came back with a unanimous "not guilty" verdict in less than eleven hours. Dorothy Simms, defense attorney, has spoken on talk shows saying that she liked Casey and grew to trust her. Dorothy Simms has children herself and seems like a reasonable, intelligent woman. Casey's fiancé spoke kindly of Casey as did his father. In fact, the fiancée's father stated that Casey has low self-worth and somebody didn't love her enough to do something about it. They speak of her neediness and insecurity. They also reported dysfunctional family issues in Casey's family.

If we had the issues in this case as described by the defense, and played out in some of the videotapes, it is possible we had a narcissistic family, an incest family, and lots of dysfunction in the family system.

If there was maternal narcissism in Cindy, Casey's mother, that would explain the conflict in the mother-daughter relationship. If she was an engulfing narcissistic mother, she would be all about herself, and of course would want to visit Casey in the jail. The glitch, however, if maternal narcissism is playing out it would be for herself not necessarily to support her daughter. She would also be able to show authentic grief but again for herself. To understand more about maternal narcissism read the prior blog posts here in "The Legacy of Distorted Love" or find deeper understanding in the book: Will I Ever Be Good Enough? Healing the Daughters of Narcissistic Mothers. Maternal narcissism is one of those taboo topics that is little understood.

If there was incest in the family, that would also explain the conflict in the mother-daughter relationship. See prior blog post on incest families.

If the child drowned accidentally, and Casey was threatened she would go to jail for child abuse and negligence, and simultaneously George was threatened that he would be reported for child sexual abuse, that could explain a possible conspiracy. The conspiracy could have been to hide the body and make it look like a kidnapping and murder. That's immoral and wrong, of course. But, it does offer an explanation to those scratching their heads to understand. The fact that George was a prior homicide cop, could also play into the weird aspects of the remains found that resemble the burying of the family pets. Incest and narcissistic families engage in behaviors that emotionally damage their children, but they don't typically kill.

Cindy's grief shown in the trial could be explained by the fact that in the beginning she did not know about the conspiracy between George and Casey. This also explains why Lee and Cindy seemed the most believable and authentic on the witness stand, as they could have been in the dark about what really happened. George on the witness stand was not so clear. The jury and many others found him to be suspicious, including the suicide note and attempt. He was argumentative, defensive, and appeared frightened.

If there was an accidental drowning and Casey had done the right thing, she would have immediately called 911. But, if the defense theory is correct and the family dysfunction is similar to what I have described above, she could have been controlled by her narcissistic parents. Then, when Casey was asked to lie, she perhaps couldn't hold up to such a horrific cover-up. This could explain why her lies seemed so crazy and her behavior erratic, while none of this really fits with her prior personality according to the fiancé, his father, and the evaluating forensic psychologist.

When the lead detective, Melich, says he can't understand why Casey lied so much...if he was an investigator for sexual abuse of children, he would have had a deep understanding that victims do lie to protect themselves, their families, and often the offender.

The prosecutors in the case were viewed as doing a good and thorough job. It just may have been hard to prove a murder if no murder happened? In hindsight, if they been able to charge some kind of child neglect resulting in death and then a cover-up, would Casey be walking today?

If we are to only look at blame and not try to understand, how can we prevent things like this from happening in the future? Narcissistic family dynamics are not well understood. Incest family dynamics are not well understood. We hear pundits saying things like "why didn't she report till now?" and "she doesn't act like a victim of sexual abuse." Are they trained in the family dynamics of both narcissism and incest? Did the media play tapes of the grief counselor who testified and try to dissect that with the help of trained professionals?

With such a horrendous tragedy, people everywhere want to understand and have justice for the child. None would disagree. But, the mob mentality of wanting blood without really attempting to understand the deeper issues is disturbing at best. It allows a venting for a distressed public, a fascination of a drama unfolding, but not a venue for further education if all sides are not assessed. Children are too important. Child abuse is a growing, frightening and repulsive aspect of our culture. It is worth unpacking a whole lot more.

It could be very interesting to hear Casey tell her own story. It is being predicted that this may happen. Is there also a prediction that the family will step forth and tell their truth? That could end up truly being the missing piece of the mysterious puzzle. But, lies and secrets are at the core of narcissistic and incest families. As Pressman and Pressman say in The Narcissistic Family, these families are like, "The shiny red apple with the worm inside."

Once again, it is not my intention to diagnose or blame but to look at family dynamics for the importance of research and prevention of child abuse. Without all members of the family coming forth with truth, no one will really know what that truth is.

Hi Karyl,
You wrote, 'and Casey emotionless as she mouths a "thank you" to a guard.' Did you watch the video? Casey had emotion all over her face and in her body movements.

Three years ago she was an arrogant, self-centered, obnoxious, pathologically lying brat with narcissistic tendencies. During her trial she pretended to cry on numerous occasions, and changed her demeanor when the jury entered.

She had parents who did not set boundaries, were controlling and liars. In short a bad dysfunctional upbringing. If she has come to her senses during her time of reflection, courtesy Orange County Correctional service, there is hope that true remorse and a real change can happen. Notice the "If" at the start of the sentence.

If her bizarre behavior and attitudes are the result of nurture, i.e. she is not a sociopath, but has been badly raised to behave like one, then some years of therapy, like DBT could turn her into a responsible member of her community.

If children (and Casey is still a child emotionally and very immature) who come from dysfunctional families behave like sociopaths, then it is not their fault, but it is their problem.

If they take their responsibility to change and cooperate with therapists then they can lead meaningful lives and help guide other young people from delinquent lifestyles.

But I did... When I first saw it on yahoo's homepage I actually thought it was something stupid about Anthony weiner.

Then I kept seeing news about it and kept brushing it off. Then I read something oh so little about it and then after that I just wanted to know more about this whole thing and story.

I really have no idea whether or not she really murdered her own daughter. But she sounds like she could have done it. But just because someone seems like they wouldn't do it, doesn't mean they couldn't.

I have often watched to wonder if those around Casey some how become pieces to a puzzle she builds in life for one reason or another . A world that she may feel safe in or one that works out for her . One of means .
Casey herself knows the truth will she ever share this ,. Even then will we be looking at a puzzle built and or a reality of world of a young woman who can just pick it up and throw it all away . It is only to be seen .

When she left the prison was her thank you congeniguardedurd she has come to know in these last years or did he become another part of this puzzle that she needed to put together , even for the moment she walked in front of the camera .

Who will know , possibly know one will ever .

Casey will even if to leave prison she will never be able to escape the truth that she holds within . Those puzzle pieces can never be changed or thrown out, as easy as all the others in her life . Nor can they be brought back . To change history in what had truly happened .

It's so easy to despise and disparage the crowds protesting the Casey Anthony verdict as a "mob." Certainly, they scream loudly and say some ugly things. I wouldn't want them angry at me.

But their anger, their viewpoint, their emotions, are all valid, all understandable.

After all, the evidence did suggest that Casey did some stupid and horrible things - to a child, a very young child, her child.

The "mob" can also be seen as protesters. When has protest been branded in such a negative light, especially when the protesters are angry about something we should all be angry about and angry at the person who seems respponsible to one degree or another?

Just like Casey supporters ask us to respect the jury, who, in my opinion, came to an unreasonable decision, I ask Casey supporters to respect the protesters who are simply expressing their righteous indignation.

It's so easy to despise and disparage the crowds protesting the Casey Anthony verdict as a "mob." Certainly, they scream loudly and say some ugly things. I wouldn't want them angry at me.

But their anger, their viewpoint, their emotions, are all valid, all understandable.

After all, the evidence did suggest that Casey did some stupid and horrible things - to a child, a very young child, her child.

The "mob" can also be seen as protesters. When has protest been branded in such a negative light, especially when the protesters are angry about something we should all be angry about and angry at the person who seems responsible to one degree or another?

Just like Casey supporters ask us to respect the jury, who, in my opinion, came to an unreasonable decision, I ask Casey supporters to respect the protesters who are simply expressing their righteous indignation.

I know as little about the Anthony family as everyone else. But I do know what it is like to grow up in a narcissistic family. I lived in a reality where the uncomfortable truth was elaborately avoided. We feared the reaction of one person who was a virtual god in our family system. The rage and shame this person inflicted seemed to be to much to bear.

When you are caught up in this family system - it is all that you know and you can't see that there is a healthier way.

The consequences of truth always catches up to you one way or another. You can't hide forever.

I appreciate you sharing your view point about what could have been going on in the Anthony household. This situation plays out silently in many families. The only the cycle is going to stop is to talk about it and make people aware.

It is always interesting how the "professionals" (Ph.D. clinical psychologists and psychiatrists), mostly, want to rely on diagnostic tests instead of seeing what is right in front of them. Casey Anthony, it has been proven, is a habitual liar, and yet the shrinks say that her test results don't indicate that she's a liar. ??? Anthony lives her life as a narcissist, and yet the shrinks say her test results don't show that she's a narcissist. ???
We all saw the facts of Anthony's life and psychology on TV, even those of us who didn't watch all the time. I don't care what the tests "say" - Anthony is a narcissistic liar. That is how she lived her life, therefore that is what she is.
re: She acts like a sexual abuse victim - Not really - too much initiative to be a victim. Interesting that Keith Ablow totally believes she is a victim, one, because she "has the symptoms", and two, because she says so. ??? Okay, Keith, maybe you need to get back to clinical practice. She's a proven liar, so we cannot believe anything that she says. Why is that so difficult to understand??

Dr. McBride deserves credit for balancing the narrative. As an investigative journalist I have to note that there has only been one side of the narrative in this story. No one has heard Casey Anthony's explanation for her behavior "after" her child died.

Regardless of one's opinion about who is responsible for a child's death, one thing is known, the acquitted defendant's behavior after her daughter's death was definitely influenced by the trauma of losing a child.

As an investigative journalist, I am burdened by an open mind. I want to hear Casey's explanation for her behavior when she learned her daughter had been killed in her own home {perhaps by her own father?}